Ramsay splits the 18 aspiring chefs into two teams and asks them to present their signature dishes; the winning team spends time with Ramsay and chef Wolfgang Puck, while the losers set up the living arrangements.

Andrew Ryan

Maureen Ryan

And therein lies the main flaw of this otherwise entertaining show. Not much time is devoted to actually teaching the novices the top-notch technique that they'd need to make it in one of Ramsay's successful London establishments, let alone the restaurant that gives the program its name.

Alan Sepinwall

"Hell's Kitchen" cribs both the format of "The Apprentice" and that show's major problems. As with the two "Apprentice" sequels, the cast is filled with people who appear to have no clue what they're doing - or, at least, are placed in positions in which they'll inevitably fail so Ramsay can cuss them out. [30 Sep 2005]